Attachments
Situation Update
According to UNHCR, there are some 62,000 internally displaced persons in Mali and 16,000 returnees. Burkina Faso shelters 33,000 Malian refugees, while Mauritania and Niger host 52,000 and 50,000 Malian refugees, respectively.
WFP Response
Under its Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) 200719 in Mali, WFP is responding to immediate food needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees, among other needs intended to save lives, promote stability and contribute to achieving the Zero Hunger Challenge. Under its Regional Emergency Operation (EMOP) 200438, WFP is addressing lifesaving needs of Malian refugees in Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger, who fled conflict in northern Mali since early 2012. In April, WFP assisted 321,000 beneficiaries in Mali and 127,000 Malian refugees in Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger.
Mali
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The security situation deteriorated significantly over the reporting period, with frequent attacks being reported which has led to the displacement of more than 30,000 people in the first two weeks of May alone. For WFP and its partners, the heightened levels of insecurity resulted in the interruption of nutrition activities in the Timbuktu region and delays in general food distributions (GFD) in the Gao region during the first two weeks of May.
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WFP and its partners distributed cereal bars to 9,100 of the newly displaced on 23 May and, where possible, WFP is now also distributing one-month worth of food rations to approximately 29,000 IDPs. Implementing partners are undertaking rapid assessments in Gao, Mopti and Timbuktu regions and WFP will progressively increase the number of people assisted as numbers are confirmed.
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Based on the results of the March Cadre Harmonisé, WFP is planning to assist some 350,000 beneficiaries from June to September 2015, as well as reviewing the number of beneficiaries that are suitable for cash transfers during the forthcoming lean season.
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The implementation phase of the pilot project KACHE (Kit for Autonomous Cash transfer in Humanitarian Emergencies) began in early May and is scheduled to end in September 2015. The kit is a new technology being piloted in WFP for the transfer of either cash or vouchers by using electronic vouchers.
Burkina Faso
- In April, WFP reached some 31,000 refugees in Bobo Dioulasso, Goudebou, Mentao and Saag-Nioniogo. Of the total refugees assisted, some 8,000 refugees reside outside official camps; the majority of these are located in the Oudalan province.
Mauritania
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In April, WFP was able to successfully resume all distributions, reaching approximately 52,000 refugees through GFD. Of these, some 800 were children aged 6-59 months and 140 were pregnant and nursing women suffering from moderate acute malnutrition who, in addition, received nutritional treatment. WFP also provided school meals to approximately 4,000 children enrolled in pre-primary and primary schools.
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WFP plans to reach approximately 53,000 beneficiaries in May.
Niger
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Despite the numerous security incidents in northern Mali, the border area with Mali has been relatively calm and stable. An estimated 230 people have fled to Niger and conversations are ongoing with UNHCR on food assistance needs.
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WFP reached 44,000 refugees residing in camps and refugee hosting zones in April; some 48,000 people were targeted for assistance in May.